DHAKA, May 20, 2020 (BSS) – The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(AIIB) today approved US$250 million for extending cooperation to Bangladesh
government’s utmost efforts for combating Covid-19.
“AIIB Board of Directors today approved the proposal for $250 million fund
for Bangladesh to ensure health and safety of its citizens during the crisis
situation,” AIIB Vice President, Investment Operations, DJ Pandiantold BSS in
an online interview.
He said AIIB is providing the support to mitigate the social and economic
impact of the COVID-19.
“Specifically, the programme will help the government to expand and
strengthen its social safety net for the vulnerable groups as well as to
support the affected industries including the export-oriented ones and small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” he added.
He said Covid-19 positive cases have been detected in maximum countries
all over the world causing global economic downturn as the World Health
Organization (WHO) declared the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19)
as a global pandemic.
Pandian, however, said government early measures will help Bangladesh cope
with the changing situation as the country is on the right way to mitigate
Covid-19 impact on economy.
The government has already declared a Tk 100,000 crore stimulus package to
face the economic impact due to COVID-19 while it is also readying plans for
next three fiscals to this end.
The AIIB vice president said AIIB is planning for extending cooperation in
more infrastructural projects in Bangladesh in a move to continue its
contribution to the country’s development.
“AIIB is very optimistic about Bangladesh as its people are very active.
Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable progress in every sector in last one
decade,” he added.
He said once Bangladesh was considered a poverty-stricken country, but now
it is attaining praises all over the world for making a ‘miracle’ in economic
uplift.
Pandian said the multi-donor bank is thinking of funding in more projects,
including water supply and upgrading highways to four-lane.
The AIIB has investments in eight top priority development projects with
total $1.068 billion funding commitment in Bangladesh.